Our Fleet

Since being established in 1999, Thames Clippers now operates a fleet of twelve luxury hi-speed catamarans. All boats have been commissioned and named by Managing Director Sean Collins.

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Meet the Clippers

  • TyphoonTyphoon
    220 seats. Outside deck. Speed 28 knots. Ultra-low wash design. Length 38 metres. Waterline length 35.4 metres. Beam 9.6 metres. Width 9.30 metres. Twin-engines and propeller driven.
  • AuroraAurora
    220 seats. Outside deck. Built by NQEA in Australia. Speed 28 knots. Ultra-low wash design. Length 38 metres. Waterline length 35.4 metres. Beam 9.6 metres. Width 9.30 metres. Twin-engines and propeller driven.
  • CycloneCyclone
    220 seats. Outside deck. Speed 28 knots. Ultra-low wash design. Length 38 metres. Waterline length 35.4 metres. Beam 9.6 metres. Width 9.30 metres. Twin-engines and propeller driven.
  • HurricaneHurricane
    220 seats. Outside deck. Built by NQEA in Australia. Speed 28 knots. Ultra-low wash design. Length 38 metres. Waterline length 35.4 metres. Beam 9.6 metres. Width 9.30 metres. Twin-engines and propeller driven.
  • MeteorMeteor
    220 seats. Outside deck. Built by NQEA in Australia. Speed 28 knots. Ultra-low wash design. Length 38 metres. Waterline length 35.4 metres. Beam 9.6 metres. Width 9.30 metres. Twin-engines and propeller driven.
  • MonsoonMonsoon
    220 seats. Outside deck. Speed 28 knots. Ultra-low wash design. Length 38 metres. Waterline length 35.4 metres. Beam 9.6 metres. Width 9.30 metres. Twin-engines and propeller driven.
  • MoonMoon
    Maximum Capacity - 138 guests (114 indoor seats and 24 seats on the rear outside deck). Speed 25 knots. 'Ultra-low' wash design. Length 32 metres. Width 7.80 metres. Waterline length 30.6 metres. Beam 8.13 metres Twin-engined and propeller driven.
  • SkySky
    Three similar vessels. 62 seats. Speed 25 knots,length 25 metres, width 5.70 metres, twin-engined and water jet driven.
  • StarStar
    Three similar vessels. 62 seats. Speed 25 knots,length 25 metres, width 5.70 metres, twin-engined and water jet driven.
  • StormStorm
    Three similar vessels. 62 seats. Speed 25 knots,length 25 metres, width 5.70 metres, twin-engined and water jet driven.
  • SunSun
    Maximum Capacity - 138 guests (114 indoor seats and 24 seats on the rear outside deck). Speed 25 knots. 'Ultra-low' wash design. Length 32 metres. Width 7.80 metres. Waterline length 30.6 metres. Beam 8.13 metres Twin-engined and propeller driven.
  • TornadoTornado
    220 seats. Outside deck. Speed 28 knots. Ultra-low wash design. Length 38 metres. Waterline length 35.4 metres. Beam 9.6 metres. Width 9.30 metres. Twin-engines and propeller driven.

Fleet Gallery

The Thames Clippers route covers the stretch of the river that is home to some of the most famous and stunning landmarks in London. View our Fleet Gallery to see images of the fleet travelling across the city on the River Thames.

Gallery

Our fleet

Since being established in 1999, Thames Clippers now operates a fleet of twelve luxury hi-speed catamarans. All boats have been commissioned and named by Managing Director Sean Collins. "I decided to go for powerful names with a meteorological resonance and it's wonderful how the boats have really grown into them," explains Sean. "I never really considered going down another route. After all, these hi-speed vessels are the product of slick engineering and incredible craftsmanship - they deserve a big name." Chairman Alan Woods adds, "It is maritime tradition to give a fleet connected names. Ours are strong, memorable and have a positive impact on the crew and passengers...I like to think that is exactly how we are as a company".

Hurricane Clipper, - River Runner 200 Mark 2

Instantly recognisable by its Damien Hirst livery, the Hurricane Clipper was one of the first of the new catamarans in the fleet and runs both the scheduled commuter and Tate to Tate service. It was built in 2001 by the Cannes based Australian company NQEA - shipbuilders for navy craft, hovercraft, catamarans, general barges and RORO ("roll on / roll off") cargo vessels. A number of famous politicians have travelled onboard including Tony Blair, Ken Livingston, John Prescott and ex-Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

  • 220 seats
  • Outside deck
  • Speed 28 knots
  • Ultra low wash design
  • Length 38 metres
  • Waterline length 35.4 metres
  • Beam 9.6 metres
  • Width 9.30 metres
  • Twin-engine and propeller driven

Meteor and Aurora Clippers, - River Runner 200 Mark 2B

Designed by Aimtek and built by BSC Marine, who specialise in commercial high speed vessels, passenger ferries, patrol boats, private yachts and cruise vessels, both of these brand new boats were purchased by Thames Clippers in 2008. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and wife - the former model Carla Bruni, travelled on the Aurora during an official visit to London in 2008.

  • 220 seats
  • Speed 28 knots
  • Ultra-low wash design
  • Length 38 metres
  • Waterline length 35.4 metres
  • Beam 9.6 metres
  • Width 9.30 metres
  • Twin-engines and propeller driven

Monsoon, Cyclone, Tornado, Typhoon, - River Runner 200 Mark 2B

Built together in the same hangar in 2007 (next door to the Meteor and Aurora Clippers) by Brisbane based BSC Marine, these boats were originally designed by Aimtek - an Australian company which specialises in making products for the aerospace and marine industries. All 4 new boats were purchased in 2008.

  • 220 seats
  • Speed 28 knots
  • Ultra-low wash design
  • Length 38 metres
  • Waterline length 35.4 metres
  • Beam 9.6 metres
  • Width 9.30 metres
  • Twin-engines and propeller driven

Sun and Moon Clippers, - River Runner 150

After their construction in 2001 (by NQEA) both boats spent the majority of their time abroad, including a stint in Nigeria where they were scheduled to be used as crew personnel carriers for an oil company. In 2005 they rejoined the fleet on the River Thames.

  • 138 seats
  • Speed 25 knots
  • Ultra low wash design
  • Length 32 metres
  • Width 7.80 metres
  • Waterline length 30.6 metres
  • Beam 8.13 metres
  • Twin-engine and propeller driven

Storm, Sky and Star Clippers, - FBM Hydrocat

These boats were built specifically on the Isle of Wight for the River Thames in 1991/1992 by FBM Marine. The Sky and Star Clippers were built in tandem and the Storm Clipper followed shortly thereafter. In the mid 1990's, all three boats were purchased from P&O Shipping by the Ministry of Defence and remained with the MOD until 1999. At this point Collins River Enterprises purchased the first Storm Clipper to resume service on the Thames. Queen Elizabeth II travelled on the Star Clipper from Lambeth to Chelsea Harbour during this time.

  • 62 seats
  • Speed 25 knots
  • Length 25 metres
  • Width 5.70 metres
  • Twin-engine and water jet driven

Twinstar

Built in 1976, Twinstar originally transported Ford staff between the car company's plants in Belvedere (Kent) and Dagenham (Essex). When the QEII Bridge was constructed the vessel was then purchased by Thames Clippers to carry passengers between Canary Wharf Pier and the Hilton Docklands Nelson Dock Pier at the Hilton Hotel in Rotherhithe. Members of the public as well as guests of the hotel are welcome to travel on the Hilton Docklands Ferry service.

  • 125 seats
  • Length 19.2 metres
  • Waterline length 16.5 metres
  • Beam 5.8 metres